Financial Wellness is the Cure for Philanthropy

We are all familiar with the phrase healthy, wealthy and wise. I wake up each day as do many of you thankful for our health and the opportunities ahead. We know that there are many factors which affect how we feel about ourselves, some of these factors which are out of our control and others we can do something about. Exercise, eating well, spending time with friends and family are all important activities. They also ground us and de-stress our daily lives.

One of the areas which most of us fail to address are decisions which can lead to financial success or failure. At various stages in our lives we have dealt with financing for a home, a new addition to the family, the needs of a growing family with school or aging parents. For many this consumes a great deal of their day and their lives. These factors can weigh very heavily on one’s health and normal daily activity.

For many over the age of 50 years of age, 60% do not have a current estate plan. This is a significant indicator that financial planning may not be current or in order for many of these individuals.

According to Manulfe’s Financial Wellness Index, 40% of respondents indicated they were financially unwell. Areas of concern expressed in the Study indicated they worried about debt (82%), not saving for retirement (60%) and stressed due to their financial position (67%).

This poses a very major challenge for the charitable sector. Philanthropic success for the charitable sector depends on financially well donors. That is why working with financial, tax and legal advisors for charities is essential. Charities can play a vital role in helping to initiative the discussion with their members and their advisors as financial wellness can lead to effective philanthropy. In the absence of professional advisors involvement in their clients philanthropy either in giving now or giving later the likelihood of a current donation or estate gift is remote.

Granted the number of individuals who are surveyed if they would leave an estate gift to charity is significantly higher than what is received from individuals estates (4%). The mindset of the donor can only be activated by education and illustration in what might be the ideal scenario for any such philanthropic giving.

This is a critical time for charities as they work hard at meeting budgets and building a sustainable model for their operations. If charities are to continue to do their good work, they will need to be better aligned with the understanding that they too are partners in the health and financial wellness of their donors.